If your deck is over 30 inches from the ground, then by law you need railings for the deck stairs. Low rise (aka floating) decks are less than 30 inches from grade and are exempt. ... Guardrails must be installed on a high deck or a balcony. Stair rails are a type of guardrail.

Do you need balusters on stairs?

You need 3 baluster per step. ... Also don't forget some staircases are open on both sides, so you need balusters for both sides of the step! General Baluster Spacing – The general rule of thumb is to have 3 baluster per foot so you do not have any gaps greater than four inches.

Do deck railings need balusters?

In general, the International Residential Code (IRC) requires a deck, porch, or balcony to have a structural railing installed in order to pass a home inspection. For child safety, the balusters must be spaced less than 4" apart.